Appendix C – Alafia River Rendezvous^® Range Rules

OBEY ALL COMMANDS OF THE RANGE SAFETY OFFICER AT ALL TIMES

1. LOADING BENCHES
   1. Do not enter or leave the active range with your guns when the range is called COLD. You may post your targets and bring your shoot boxes into the range when it is a cold range.
   1. Approach the loading benches with the muzzles of your UNLOADED guns at shoulder height and pointing up (vertical). This is how you are to carry your guns at all times while on Florida Frontiersmen property.
   1. For the First Relay of the Day, the Range is considered COLD – all guns are to be left outside of the active gun range until the Range Safety Officer calls the Range Hot. You can bring in your supplies, post targets only.
   1. NO SMOKING is permitted anywhere in the area defined as “the active gun range.”
   1. No one is to do any shooting if they have been drinking alcoholic beverages or they are intoxicated in any sense.
   1. It is strongly recommended that each competitor wear safety glasses and hearing protection.
   1. You must have a pistol stand to put your pistol in when you are loading at the bench.
   1. Do not blow down the muzzle of your barrel, or for any reason put your mouth on the barrel of your gun.

• LOADING
  • Only begin loading your gun after the Range Safety Officer has called the range “HOT”.
  • Do not cap or prime your gun at the bench. Always position the barrel of your gun in the slots of the loading benches. Assume the gun is loaded at all times.
  • CAPLOCKS: Have your lock (hammer) set at “Half Cock” when loading.
  • FLINTLOCKS: Have your frizzen open and your hammer down when loading. A loaded flintlock with an unprimed pan can detonate if sparked.
  • Keep all powder containers covered at all times.
  • Do not use a plastic powder container unless the manufacturer of the powder supplies it.
  • ALWAYS use a powder measure. Never pour powder directly into the barrel from your powder horn or powder container.
  • Avoid distractions and conversation when your loading sequence begins: POWDER – PATCH – BALL – RAMROD – FIRING L INE – PRIME/CAP – SHOOT

• TRAVELING TO AND FROM THE FIRING LINE
  • Keep your gun muzzle pointed up, with the muzzle at or above your shoulder. There is no room for a “FUDGE FACTOR” here.

• AT THE FIRING LINE
  • Be sure the line is called HOT. Go to the position on the firing line, which corresponds to where your target is posted. Avoid cross firing.
  • Only cap or prime your gun when on the firing line.
  • Look down range for people or animals before firing.
  • Keep the muzzle of your gun pointed down range at all times when on the firing line.
  • NEVER LEAVE THE FIRING LINE WITH A LOADED GUN. Always discharge your gun. If for any reason you cannot fire your gun at your target, fire into the berm. If your gun does not fire, call a Range Safety Officer for assistance.
  • Cell Phones are a Dangerous Distraction: No cell phone is permitted in “the active range area,” even on vibrate-silent.
  • Never leave your gun on the range unless you have an unloaded gun that has been properly benched.
  • Flint shooters must always beware of the person next to you. If the person next to you is close enough to be hit with the flash out of your touchhole, advise them of that fact.
  • ALL SHOOTERS place your powder horns/primer flasks on the opposite side of your body from your gun when actually shooting. If someone is shooting next to you, place it at your back.
  • No spotting scopes or telescopes are allowed. You can use a period correct telescoping monocular only.
  • a)     If you hear the command “CEASE FIRE” or hear a whistle blow, take your finger off the trigger; point your gun to the ground directly in front of you. If you can, make your gun safe. For a Caplock: safely remove the cap, go to half cock; Flintlock: open the frizzen, clear the pan, and place the hammer down. Point the gun skyward (vertical) with the muzzle above your shoulder. If you cannot make your gun safe, tell a Range Safety Officer. Wait at the line for an “ALL CLEAR.”
  • For all matches shot against objects (primitive, woods walk, non-paper trade gun, Fur & Feather and Boone-Kenton), a hammer fall constitutes a shot.

• IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE
  • CALL THE RANGE SAFETY OFFICER if for any reason you cannot get your gun to fire. Keep the muzzle pointed down range; the gun may go off. “CALL THE RANGE SAFETY OFFICER!”
  • The Range Safety Officer will obtain a pressurized ball discharger and assist you in safely discharging your loaded gun. If for any reason it is necessary to pull the ball, pour oil into the nipple or touch hole to wet the powder before using a ball puller. NEVER STAND IN FRONT OF THE MUZZLE OF YOUR GUN.

*** NEVER RETURN TO THE BENCH WITH A LOADED GUN ***

• RELAYS
  • Listen carefully for commands of the Range Safety Officer
  • The range will remain “HOT” for twenty-five (25) minutes, which includes a two-minute warning.
  • Do not allow the range to be called “COLD” if your gun is loaded/primed/capped or in any questionable condition. CALL THE RANGE SAFETY OFFICER.

• WHEN THE RANGE IS CALLED “COLD”
  • A “COLD” range has no loaded/capped/primes or questionable guns.
  • You must “GROUND YOUR GUNS”. Do nothing else when the range is called “COLD” or when people are down range. DO NOT CLEAN OR LOAD-DO NOT HANDLE THE GUN IN ANY WAY.
  • You may “PULL AND POST” your paper targets. PRINT LEGIBLY your name, the bore size of your gun, your class (if applicable) and your shooter number on the target. Bring the completed targets to the scorekeeper. All targets must also have a “Target ID number.”

• PROTESTING THE SCORING OF A TARGET
  • For any scoring abnormality such as multiple shots through one hole, another shooter hitting your target or your shot hitting another shooter’s target, you must have a Range Safety Officer note and approve the abnormality directly on your target while it is still posted.
  • Once officially scored, you must notify the Chief Range Officer and inform him/her that you wish to make a protest of a score
    • The Chief Range Officer will assemble the Protest Committee, consisting of: The Chief Range Safety Officer, A Scorekeeper and One of the Club officers.
    • The decision of the protest committee is final and cannot be appealed.

• CONDUCT
  • Anyone that refuses to obey the commands of the Range Safety Officer, repeatedly violates these range rules, or demonstrates any kind of disorderly conduct will not be allowed to continue participating in the shooting event.
• PERMISSIBLE FIREARMS AND MATCH RULES
  • General Rules are defined by Match Type so check specifically with the Chief Range Officer:
    • All firelocks are subject to a safety inspection by a Range Safety Officer.
    • Black powder only
    • Caplock (number 10/11 or musket cap), Flintlock or Wheelock
    • Slings shall not be used to support or to steady shoulders and arms.
    • Unless otherwise specified in the match program, all individual matches shall be fired from the offhand position. The position of the supporting arm shall be at the competitor’s discretion.
    • Can use single or double set triggers (except TRADE GUN) on all rifles and pistols
    • A TRADE GUN was originally intended to shoot either round ball or shot. Flintlock only. No set triggers. 28ga. (54 caliber) minimum. No rear sight above the plane of the barrel.
    • All firelocks must have a “half cock” position or equivalent to render the gun safe and the trigger ineffective.
    • All conventional matches must use firelocks with open front sights and cannot be shaded (covered).
    • Rear sights must be open (“U” or “V” notch) and can be fixed or adjustable at the shooter’s option. Buckhorn sights are permitted provided they have a ¼ inch gap at the top.
    • Peep sights are permitted only in matches specified as OPEN RIFLE.
    • A diopter lens for sight correction may be used as a substitute for glasses in OPEN RIFLE.
    • The use of Optical Attachments for shooting glasses may be used in Matches designated as OPEN RIFLE.
    • All matches must be use a round ball with patch and loaded from the muzzle for flintlock and caplock. Civil War Military Muskets are prohibited from competition.
    • Any sight that provides a lens, which places the sight and target on a single sighting plane (with or without magnification), such as a telescopic or red dot sight are prohibited.
    • Laser sights, which project a light on the target, are prohibited.
    • Inline black powder rifles and/or pistols are prohibited.
    • Brass cartridges rifles/pistols are prohibited.
    • No pre-measured charges, no military style cartridges allowed. A separate powder measure or holder will be used to carry the powder charge from the horn or flask to the muzzle of the firearm; the practice of charging directly from the horn or flask into the muzzle of the firearm is unsafe and will not be permitted
    • Buckshot must be used on the shotgun range.
    • All pistols must be single shot (No Navy, Colt, Walker or other revolvers).
    • Wooden loading boxes are preferred on the ranges. Modern boxes must be covered when carried to and from the range.
    • No spotting scopes may be used. Handheld telescopes only.
    • All pistols must be shot in the offhand position with one hand.
    • A shooter who, because of physical handicap, cannot fire from the prescribed shooting position outlined in these rules, or who must use special equipment when firing cannot take advantage of equipment for the purpose of bracing arms in competition.
    • Targets are scored as follows: Paper bull’s-eye targets are measured from the center of the projectile; paper silhouette targets are measured from the edge of the projectile; and object targets are measured as a hit when struck.
    • The Chief Range Officer will cover anything not covered by these Range Rules.

1. WAIVER OF LIABILITY
   1. In consideration for receiving permission to participate in the use of Florida Frontiersmen Inc. Property and events, I hereby release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue FLORIDA FRONTIERSMEN, INC., its officers, servants, agents and members (hereinafter referred to as “the Club”) from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or relating to any loss, damage or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me, or to any property belonging to me, whether caused by the negligence of the Club, or otherwise, while participating in events upon the premises.
   1. I am fully aware of risks and hazards connected with being on the premises and participating in the use of Antique and Reproduction Black Powder Firearms, Archery Equipment, Hawk and Knife Equipment and Camping (hereinafter referred to as “Activities”), and I am fully aware that there may be risks and hazards unknown to me connected with being on the premises and participating in above mentioned Activities, and I hereby elect to voluntarily participate in the Activities, to enter upon the above named premises and engage in Activities knowing that conditions may be hazardous, or may become hazardous or dangerous to me and my property. I voluntarily assume full responsibility for any risks of loss, property damage or personal injury, including death, that may be sustained by me, or any loss or damage to property owned by me, as a result of my being a participant in Club Activities, whether caused by the negligence of the Club or otherwise.
   1. I further hereby agree to indemnify and save and hold harmless the Club from any loss, liability, damage or costs they may incur due to my participation on the Club Property, whether caused by the negligence of any or all of the Club, or otherwise.
   1. It is my express intent that this Release shall bind the members of my family and spouse, if I am alive, and my heirs, assigns and personal representative, if I am deceased, and shall be deemed as a Release, Waiver, Discharge and Covenant Not to Sue the above named the Club.

In signing this release, I acknowledge and represent that:

1. I have read the foregoing release, understand it, and sign it voluntarily as my own free act and deed;
2. No oral representation, statements or inducements, apart from the foregoing written agreement, have been made;
3. I am at least eighteen (18) years of age and fully competent; or I am under the supervision of a fully competent adult;
4. I execute this Release for full, adequate and complete consideration fully intending to be bound by same

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day of ,

Participant Signature:                  _______________________________________  

Witness Signature:            _____________________________________________

Competitor Number: